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To US Congress From Edward DeReu Date Unknown

RHM_126_a

To the honorable members of the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United states, in Congress assembled,
SIRS: Great national events, which have at different periods agitated past ages, as well as the present, of almost all nations, and such as are now taking place in the United States; such events, although greatly deplored as great national calamities, have nevertheless always been accompanied with so much which has ultimately proved a lasting benefit to the whole world, as well as to the individual nation, as to overshadow almost all calamities which they had for a time to suffer. The advantages and disadvantages, the shortcomings and requirements of a nation, are so clearly and unmistakably pointed out in such times, as to preclude almost a possibility of a repetition of such sad events for all time to come, that is, if due advantage is taken of such indication, and the shoulder brought to the wheel.
Permit me then to say, sirs, in our present national struggle, in which so much patriotism and devotion has been shown by all, and most particularly by our public men and legislative bodies, that it
seems to me it must be the most anxious desire of every one to save and shield, as much as possible, those brave and noble hearts who go forth to battle for their country. Behold! even unprepared as a good soldier should be in the arts of war and self-defence, he obeys the call, and so it often happens that he is either killed or maimed for life, which would not have been so had he been properly instructed. Does it not become incumbent upon us to procure such instruction for our brave soldiers? Most decidedly.
I beg therefore most respectfully to be permitted to call the attention of the public in general, and Congress in particular to the great disadvantage under which our devoted army has to suffer, and which has so often and so fearfully made itself felt, that is in not having permanently appointed, thoroughly good and practical fencing masters, possessing sufficient rank to enforce, if necessary, a punctual attendance, and distributed in the various army corps, as is so successfully the case throughout all the States of Europe.
The introduction of a similar system in the United States would undoubtedly have the desired effect, and earn the everlasting gratitude and thanks of all our brothers in arms. Such a system becomes more particularly incumbent upon us, when we consider that our army is composed of men but recently taken from civil life, and are consequently but little acquainted with the use of the different arms or advantage of position. A knowledge acquired by mere book study, or theoretically alone, is not well possible.
At present, if an officer or soldier wishes to be thoroughly instructed in the use of the arms given to him by the government for the country’s defence, he has to meet the expense out of his own scanty earnings, that is, if he is fortunate enough to meet a competent instructor, who can afford to give a few isolated lessons without detriment to his other pursuits.
The tired soldier well knows that the ordinary drill with the musket is not sufficient to save life or limb, in scattered battle array, either for attack or defence. It is not the less a notorious fact, which made itself particularly felt in our late battles, greatly to our cost, that the number of officers and men who fell in sacrifice to that ignorance was really frightful, particularly so in officers. Nor can it have been less remarked by all military men how comparatively few bayonet charges have been made with us, to what is and has been resorted to in modern times by other nations, and that always with such effective results, so clearly demonstrated in the Hungarian, Italian, and Russian Wars, and in which the French so much excelled and distinguished themselves – often with a single charge changing or perhaps deciding the fortunes of the day.
The secret of their success is that they have been thoroughly instructed in the use of the bayonet. Let us then emulate them and become equally expert. For without instruction men cannot play well upon any instrument. And then our army will also resort with full confidence to these terrible bayonet charges and become equally renowned as have the French.
Much sympathy is felt and treasure spent upon our wounded, and yet nothing has been done to prevent so great a slaughter. At present our untutored soldiers after they have discharged their musket, think the best thing they can do is to retreat, or stand only to fall beneath the advancing tread of their cruel foe. To him the terrible bayonet is no advantage, but often a useless encumbrance. But had he received a course of lessons as to the manner of using it, it would have inspired him with that confidence and courage to stand to the last, and crown himself with glory. There is therefore nothing beyond the feelings of a humane heart, which is praiseworthy, in providing (the necessities) for the wounded, but infinitely more praiseworthy would it be to prepare and fit the soldier, to capacitate him, for a stout and firm defence, and through such means spare him his wounds and us our tears. It is also evident we have to commence at once the reform. I am aware that several works on bayonet fencing have lately

This item is owned by the Jasper County Public Library. Permission to publish or reproduce this item is required and must be obtained from the Director of the Jasper County Public Library, Rensselaer, Indiana. Please visit www.myjcpl.org for more information.

To the honorable members of the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United states, in Congress assembled,
SIRS: Great national events, which have at different periods agitated past ages, as well as the present, of almost all nations, and such as are now taking place in the United States; such events, although greatly deplored as great national calamities, have nevertheless always been accompanied with so much which has ultimately proved a lasting benefit to the whole world, as well as to the individual nation, as to overshadow almost all calamities which they had for a time to suffer. The advantages and disadvantages, the shortcomings and requirements of a nation, are so clearly and unmistakably pointed out in such times, as to preclude almost a possibility of a repetition of such sad events for all time to come, that is, if due advantage is taken of such indication, and the shoulder brought to the wheel.
Permit me then to say, sirs, in our present national struggle, in which so much patriotism and devotion has been shown by all, and most particularly by our public men and legislative bodies, that it
seems to me it must be the most anxious desire of every one to save and shield, as much as possible, those brave and noble hearts who go forth to battle for their country. Behold! even unprepared as a good soldier should be in the arts of war and self-defence, he obeys the call, and so it often happens that he is either killed or maimed for life, which would not have been so had he been properly instructed. Does it not become incumbent upon us to procure such instruction for our brave soldiers? Most decidedly.
I beg therefore most respectfully to be permitted to call the attention of the public in general, and Congress in particular to the great disadvantage under which our devoted army has to suffer, and which has so often and so fearfully made itself felt, that is in not having permanently appointed, thoroughly good and practical fencing masters, possessing sufficient rank to enforce, if necessary, a punctual attendance, and distributed in the various army corps, as is so successfully the case throughout all the States of Europe.
The introduction of a similar system in the United States would undoubtedly have the desired effect, and earn the everlasting gratitude and thanks of all our brothers in arms. Such a system becomes more particularly incumbent upon us, when we consider that our army is composed of men but recently taken from civil life, and are consequently but little acquainted with the use of the different arms or advantage of position. A knowledge acquired by mere book study, or theoretically alone, is not well possible.
At present, if an officer or soldier wishes to be thoroughly instructed in the use of the arms given to him by the government for the country’s defence, he has to meet the expense out of his own scanty earnings, that is, if he is fortunate enough to meet a competent instructor, who can afford to give a few isolated lessons without detriment to his other pursuits.
The tired soldier well knows that the ordinary drill with the musket is not sufficient to save life or limb, in scattered battle array, either for attack or defence. It is not the less a notorious fact, which made itself particularly felt in our late battles, greatly to our cost, that the number of officers and men who fell in sacrifice to that ignorance was really frightful, particularly so in officers. Nor can it have been less remarked by all military men how comparatively few bayonet charges have been made with us, to what is and has been resorted to in modern times by other nations, and that always with such effective results, so clearly demonstrated in the Hungarian, Italian, and Russian Wars, and in which the French so much excelled and distinguished themselves – often with a single charge changing or perhaps deciding the fortunes of the day.
The secret of their success is that they have been thoroughly instructed in the use of the bayonet. Let us then emulate them and become equally expert. For without instruction men cannot play well upon any instrument. And then our army will also resort with full confidence to these terrible bayonet charges and become equally renowned as have the French.
Much sympathy is felt and treasure spent upon our wounded, and yet nothing has been done to prevent so great a slaughter. At present our untutored soldiers after they have discharged their musket, think the best thing they can do is to retreat, or stand only to fall beneath the advancing tread of their cruel foe. To him the terrible bayonet is no advantage, but often a useless encumbrance. But had he received a course of lessons as to the manner of using it, it would have inspired him with that confidence and courage to stand to the last, and crown himself with glory. There is therefore nothing beyond the feelings of a humane heart, which is praiseworthy, in providing (the necessities) for the wounded, but infinitely more praiseworthy would it be to prepare and fit the soldier, to capacitate him, for a stout and firm defence, and through such means spare him his wounds and us our tears. It is also evident we have to commence at once the reform. I am aware that several works on bayonet fencing have lately

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This item is owned by the Jasper County Public Library. Permission to publish or reproduce this item is required and must be obtained from the Director of the Jasper County Public Library, Rensselaer, Indiana. Please visit www.myjcpl.org for more information.